CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION

MIKE NORIEGA MANHATTAN BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

LIFESAVING AWARD WHEREAS, on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 2:00 am, Manhattan Beach Fire

units responded to a structure fire located at 3005 Oak Avenue in Manhattan Beach. Prior to the Fire Department’s arrival, Fire Dispatch stated that there were victims inside the home; and

WHEREAS, before rescue units arrived, Mike Noriega, was awaken to the sound of

broken glass coming from the home next door. Once Mike realized there was a fire inside of the home of Ms. Meistrell, he ran to the house to help. He was met at the door by Richard, the mentally disabled son of Ms. Meistrell. Mike insured that Richard left the home and went to a safe area across the street; and

WHEREAS, Mike then proceeded into the smoke filled house to help others out of the

home. He made it to the hallway, right outside Ms. Meistrell bedroom, were he found her and Virginia Narag. Ms. Meistrell was unable to walk and lying on the ground. Without hesitation, Mike and Virginia, picked Ms. Meistrell up and carried her down the hallway, across the living room and out the front door; and

WHEREAS, when Manhattan Beach Fire Units arrived on the scene, the rescuers

and victims were out of the home and safe. Ms. Meistrell was treated by Manhattan Beach Paramedics and transported to the hospital. While at the hospital she was treated for smoke inhalation and released later that day; and

WHEREAS, in light of Mike Noriega’s quick and selfless action, the Manhattan

Beach Fire Department has recommended him for the Department’s “Lifesaving Award”.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council on behalf of the residents and citizens of the City of Manhattan Beach, California, does hereby award this commendation to

Mike Noriega In recognition of the courage and compassion he displayed on November5, 2009. DATED this 2nd day of February, 2010.

Mitch Ward, Mayor

CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION

VIRGINIA NARAG MANHATTAN BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

LIFESAVING AWARD WHEREAS, on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 2:00 am, Manhattan Beach Fire units

responded to a structure fire located at 3005 Oak Avenue in Manhattan Beach. Prior to the Fire Department’s arrival, Fire Dispatch stated that there were victims inside the home; and

WHEREAS, prior to fire units arriving, Virginia Narag, care taker for Nettie Meistrell,

woke up to the sound of the smoke detector and the smell of smoke. When exiting her bedroom she found smoke coming from the bedroom of 92 year old Ms. Meistrell and filling the hallway. Virginia yelled for Richard, who is the mentally disabled son of Ms. Meistrell, to exit the home. Virginia proceeded to the bedroom of Ms. Meistrell and found the room full of smoke and fire; and

WHEREAS, Virginia, without concern for her own health, proceeded to carry Ms. Meistrell

out of the room and into the hallway. Once in the hallway, Virginia was no longer able to breath because of the smoke. She exited the front door to get a breath and returned to help Ms. Meistrell; and

WHEREAS, when Virginia made her way back to Ms. Meistrell, she was joined by the next

door neighbor, Mike Noriega. The hallway was now “charge heavy” with smoke and the fire was filling the bedroom. Virginia and Mike then carried Ms. Meistrell down the hallway, across the living room, and out the front door to safety; and

WHEREAS, when Manhattan Beach Fire Units arrived on the scene, the rescuers and

victims were out of the home and safe. Ms. Meistrell was treated by Manhattan Beach Paramedics and transported to the hospital. While at the hospital she was treated for smoke inhalation and released later that day; and

WHEREAS, in light of Virginia Narag’s quick and selfless action, the Manhattan Beach

Fire Department has recommended her for the Department’s “Lifesaving Award”.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council on behalf of the residents and citizens of the City of Manhattan Beach, California, does hereby award this commendation to

Virginia Narag In recognition of the courage and compassion she displayed on November5, 2009. DATED this 2nd day of February, 2010.

Mitch Ward, Mayor